Accountability & Program Assessment

1. Accountability & Program Assessment Governing Board Online Training Module

2. Accountability Structure • Philosophy and Structure • All schools should have an accountability group • Separate committee that reports to the governing board • Governing board may expand the responsibilities of the accountability group • Governing board provides direction to the accountability group • Job description • Membership guidelines • Reporting structures

3. Group Purpose • To advise the governing board and to submit recommendations concerning the contents of the strategic plan • To meet frequently to discuss whether school leadership, personnel, and infrastructure are advancing or impeding implementation of the school’s vision and mission

4. Group Membership • Best practice suggests the group should have: • At least seven members • School administrator(s) • No more than two board members • Teacher(s) • Parent(s) • Community member(s) • Members of an organization of teachers, parents, and students

5. Group Function • EVALUATE for effectiveness • MONITOR progress • REPORT to the governing board • RECOMMEND for improvement

6. What should the Group Evaluate? • School program effectiveness as it relates to the vision and mission of the school • Student achievement • Parent satisfaction • School safety

7. Evaluating Program Effectiveness & Student Achievement • Student performance on standardized tests and classroom assessments in major subjects • Student portfolios • Student preparation for future learning • Plan to help underachieving students who may not qualify for intervention services • Plan for challenging advanced students

8. Evaluating School Safety & Parent Satisfaction • Surveys should be designed to measure: • Academic progress • School safety • School Climate • Parent satisfaction • Surveys should be approved by the governing board prior to distribution • Survey results combined with academic achievement data inform board decisions and strategic planning.

9. What should the Group Monitor? • Progress on strategic plan goals • Progress on accreditation goals (DRSLs)

10. Evaluating Progress on Strategic Plan Goals • The governing board develops goals, strategies, and measures • The governing board assesses goal alignment with the school’s vision and mission • The governing board directs the accountability group to: • Monitor data, measures, and targets • Monitor goal timelines

11. Accreditation • The Northwest Accreditation Commission accredits district secondary schools and charter schools • Every school must have an accreditation plan and submit an annual report • Four levels of accreditation: • Approved • Advised • Warned • Dropped

12. Evaluating Progress on Accreditation Goals • Every accreditation plan must include goals that are specific to the school • The accountability group makes recommendations to the governing board regarding accreditation goals • The accountability group ,may recommend timelines, benchmarks, performance indicators, and data sources • The governing board adopts the accreditation plan and develops policy based on any implications • The governing board may assign the accountability group ongoing monitoring responsibilities

13. What should the Group Report? • Summary data • School survey results • Goal progress reports

14. Summary Data • Data reflecting the school’s values (vision and mission) • Data mentioned in the charter application; probably linked to school goals • Data required by the Charter Agreement • Data needed by administration • Data needed for financial decision making

15. Examples of Data Sources for the Group • School improvement planning • Goal accomplishment and tracking • Climate survey results • Demographics • Discipline, attendance, and graduation records • Parent involvement • Needs assessment and acquisition records

16. Group Reporting Responsibilities • The accountability group should report to the governing board at least quarterly. • Summarized data reports • Survey progress and summary reports • Written recommendations • The governing board formally reports to the authorizer on an annual basis • The accountability group may provide year-end reports to the community • Accountability group meeting minutes

17. What should the Group Recommend? • Goals and targets for improvement • Needs assessment • Resource allocation

18. Summary • A program evaluation process and an accountability structure are essential • The accountability group could exist as an accountability structure to monitor and ensure: academic progress, school safety, parents satisfaction, and successful attainment of goals. • The primary functions of the accountability group could include: evaluating the program for effectiveness, monitoring progress toward accomplishing goals, providing summary reports to the governing board, and making recommendations for school improvement. • Data driven decision making should occur at all levels of the school, including the accountability group.